This Week in Albany

Week ending February 23, 2018

Janus v AFSCME

On Monday, February 26th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Janus vs AFSCME case. This case is nothing more than an attempt to limit the voice of working men and women across the country.

In the lead-up to the case being heard, CSEA members and activists are invited to participate in a number of activities to show that union members will fight back against attempts to divide working people and limit the power of workers, their families, and their communities.

On Saturday, February 24th, hundreds of CSEA members will participate in a “Working People’s Day of Action” in New York City and in Buffalo. Similar rallies will be held in 28 other cities across the country. On Monday, hundreds more CSEA members will participate in a rally at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

In the face of these blatant attacks on the rights of working people, CSEA members will NEVER QUIT.

At a Glance

The state Senate and Assembly will return to Albany next week after a week away in their home districts. The legislature will be in session for two days, and will hold the final joint legislative hearing on the 2018-19 Executive Budget on the topic of environmental conservation.

Each house of the legislature is expected to release its “one house” version of the budget during the week of March 12th. In these proposals, each house will put forward what their ideal version of a budget would look like. From there, the legislature will work with the Governor to find an agreement on a final budget before the April 1 deadline.

Elections

Governor Cuomo has called for a Special Election on April 24th to fill the 11 vacant seats in the state legislature. While there are nine vacant Assembly seats and two vacant Senate seats, the race for the 37th Senate District will likely be the most-watched race.

In that race, Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer (D-Yonkers) will face off against Julie Killian (R-Rye) to fill the seat vacated by Westchester County Executive George Latimer (D). This seat may be crucial to which party controls the Senate. While Republicans currently hold a narrow majority, a deal announced earlier this year calls for “reuniting” the Democratic conference with the Independent Democratic Conference if Democrats win both Special Elections in the Senate.

CSEA has not yet started the endorsement process in these races. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Additionally, village elections will be held across the state on March 20th.

Never Quit Fact of the Week

According to U.S. Census Bureau Data poverty rates in “Right-to-Work” states are 15.3 percent overall (and 21.4 percent for children). In other states, poverty rates total 12.8 percent overall (and 18 percent for children).